Vendée Globe: Boris Herrmann with new wings - refit comeback for "Malizia - Seaexplorer"
Tatjana Pokorny
· 26.03.2024
Boris Herrmann and his Malizia team celebrated the return of the "Malizia - Seaexplorer" from its three-month winter refit at the start of the week, freshly energised and in high spirits. The VPLP design from 2022, which was built by Multiplast and co-developed by Herrmann, went back into the water in Lorient and underwent heeling tests early on Tuesday morning. Team Malizia, founded in 2016 by Boris Herrmann, who has just been honoured with the Federal Cross of Merit, has brought its racing yacht back into its element for the Vendée Globe year.
New foils for Boris Herrmann
The most striking result of the refit was that the 18.30 metre long "Malizia - Seaexplorer" was fitted with a smart pair of new foils. "They look good," enthused Boris Herrmann before the first endurance tests. A team of around 15 Malizia experts had largely taken care of the updates for Herrmann's Imoca during the winter months. Herrmann last inspected the new foils in the development process at the beginning of February before he was able to test them with the boat. They are to sail "Malizia - Seaexplorer".
"The two main projects of this winter refit were the new foils and the ergonomics," explained skipper Boris Herrmann, "our boat runs very well downwind, so our goal is to sail faster upwind. We launched our 'Malizia - Seaexplorer' yesterday, did a 90-degree test this morning and installed the new foils this afternoon, so we can already test them this week, along with other changes we've made, which is very exciting."
Improved performance for the Vendée Globe
Rebecca Sainson, engineer in Malizia's design office, explained: "We have built a new pair of foils designed by Sam Manuard, based on our previous foils, to improve performance and hydrodynamics. Sam also designed the V2 foils, but they were not originally intended for our boat. Shortly before the start of The Ocean Race, we discovered that our V1 foils were damaged, which jeopardised our participation in the circumnavigation. So we had to find new ones quickly. After intensive efforts and a stroke of luck, we managed to find a pair that fitted our boat, although we had to adjust the bearings of the foils."
While Team Malizia was travelling around the globe in various races, the V2 foils had proven to be quite efficient, but were not ideal. One reason for this was that they could not be fully retracted. The shape of the V3 foils was revised to prevent them from creating resistance in the water when retracted. "We have also refined the profile," explained Rebecca Sainson. She continued: "These new foils should significantly improve the boat's performance. We are looking forward to testing them in the coming weeks."
Technical and operational director Pifou Dargnies added: "We have also worked on the ergonomics. Imoca boats are known for their very limited comfort, so we are trying to improve things and provide Boris with optimal sleeping, eating, working, manoeuvring and other important functions on board."
More comfort for the skipper
"We have developed a new stern berth system," explained Rebecca Sainson. "The previous one was quite uncomfortable, it was firmly attached to the carbon and very stiff. So we lowered the berth and installed a new suspension system that absorbs the impact of the waves a little better. There is only one berth in the aft cabin, on the starboard side, but it can be tilted in both directions, depending on which bow the boat is travelling on." The technical team has also made small improvements to the galley, which is located on the port side.
The engineer added: "A big improvement in ergonomics is the cockpit seat. We had installed a cockpit seat after the last summer overhaul, but it wasn't conclusive. Its position was not optimal, too close to the winches and also a bit in the way. That's why we built a new seat for this refit, which is slightly modelled on that of the 'Paprec Arkéa', but is completely adapted to the cockpit of our boat."
Rebecca Saison said: "The new seat is now attached to the cockpit wall and can also be attached to the other wall. It's also sprung, a bit like shock absorbers on a bike. We have shortened the bunks in the cockpit a little to make room for the seat. Boris can now sit comfortably and has an optimal position to see all his screens, hold the sheet, operate the autopilot and more."
Focus on a reliable energy system
During the winter overhaul, Malizia's technical team reviewed the entire hull, strengthened the structure a little and worked on the energy and performance aspects. "During the Vendée Globe, it will be crucial to have a reliable energy system," clarified Pifou Dargnies.
He continued: "We have solar panels, two hydrogen generators and have now installed a wind generator at the stern of the boat to achieve even greater efficiency. Testing different energy sources that complement each other is crucial, especially as the Imoca class rules will gradually evolve to require only renewable energy sources."
Pifou Dargnies concluded: "As far as the sails are concerned, we are using our mainsail from the Ocean Race until we get a new one for the Vendée Globe. And for those who are wondering: We have since repaired the sail that was torn seconds after the finish line of the Retour à La Base. It is now our replacement mainsail."
With his boat in new splendour, Boris Herrmann is preparing for a summit season. Until the start of his second Vendée Globe on 11 November, the programme includes two challenging transat trials, the Transat CIC (start: 28 April) and the New York Vendée Les Sables-d'Olonne (start: 29 May), many tests, intensive training and the final showdown of the Imoca greats at the classic Le Défi Azimut. Then comes the summit assault: the 10th anniversary edition of the Vendée Globe will take its challengers from and to Les Sables-d'Olonne over 24,000 nautical miles once non-stop around the world.
Two transats for Boris Herrmann
Boris Herrmann gave the single-handed adventure a huge boost in popularity in Germany when it premiered in 2020/2021. Now the first German participant in Vendée Globe history - as well as Munich-born German-French Isabelle Joschke - is making his second attempt. Both are on the list of 43 candidates for 40 starting places (record field). Boris Herrmann is certainly qualified, Isabelle Joschke is as good as certain.
While Boris Herrmann will take part in both upcoming transatlantic races, Isabelle Joschke is focussing on longer recovery periods and will only take part in the outward race, but not in the race back to France.
